March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Know your risk factors, be able to identify symptoms, and get tips to reduce your risk.
Who Is Most At Risk?
Women or Men who:
- Are age 50 or older
- Smoke
- Are overweight or obese, especially those who carry fat around their waists
- Are not physically active
- Have type 2 diabetes
- Drink alcohol in excess, especially men
- Eat a lot of red meat or processed meats
- Have personal or family histories of colorectal cancer or colorectal polys
- Have personal history of inflammatory bowel disease
Symptoms:
- Bleeding from the rectum or blood in or on the stool
- Change in bowel movements
- Stools that are more narrow than usual
- General abdominal problems such as bloating, fullness or cramps
- Diarrhea, bleeding or constipation or a feeling in the rectum that the bowel movement is not quite complete
- Weight loss for no apparent reason
- Feeling tired all the time
- Vomiting
Reduce Your Risk
- Exercise at least 30 minutes, at least 5 days a week
- Drinking alcohol is linked to colorectal cancers. Even drinking small amounts may increase your risk of cancer
- Never smoke. If you do, quit
- Eat less red meat and cut out processed meat
- Maintain a healthy weight & waist size
- Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, beans & whole grains
- Get screened
Please contact Althea Moser at amoser@highlands.edu for further information. This wellness initiative is courtesy of the Dept. of Kinesiology and Wellness, the Faculty Grant Scholarship, & the Prevent Cancer Foundation©